Sociodemographic indicators of stroke mortality.

Declining mortality from cerebrovascular disease (stroke) has become a hallmark of cause-specific mortality trends nationwide. Analysis of demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of the population in Allegheny County, western Pennsylvania, in 1980 was carried out to explore their utility as indicators of stroke mortality. Percent black population (followed by unemployment) was found to be the best predictor of stroke mortality in different county areas (r = 0.6, P = 0.001) compared with other variables including income or education. Possible implications for community intervention or primary care programs are discussed.